Pumpkins and scares coming to Hartwood Estate

For the first time, Hartwood Estate will be selling pumpkins, squash, hay and having a haunted house. Although the home is located in a residential area, the city has granted a special ordinance to permit the seasonal attraction.

Toby and Shannon Dingbaum are the owners of Hartwood Estate, and said they have always loved Halloween and were glad to have the space to finally try the pumpkin patch. Shannon said they are expecting approximately 700 pumpkins this year of various types and sizes.

When the Dingbaums moved to Hartselle, they envisioned the space as perfect for having the seasonal events. “We wanted things to do locally with our kids, we really wanted them to experience that,” Shannon said.

Last year, the Dingbaums offered live Christmas trees for the first time. They are hoping to build on that tradition with the pumpkin patch and haunted house for Halloween. “The community was great, they came out and supported us. This is a test to see if this goes over or not,” Toby said.

In addition to the pumpkins, the Dingbaums have built their own haunted house in the barn and through some of their property behind the barn. They do not have definite dates set yet for the open hours, but are hoping to have the house open the last two weekends of October.

The haunted house will also work with school organizations. Shannon said that she hopes to have a school club or organization to volunteer for the haunted house and to make a donation from the sales to the group. They also plant to have a no scare event for younger kids to be able to walk through the area.

The haunted house will be $5 for kids and $10 for teenagers and adults. The small pumpkins are $1 and the jack ‘o lanterns are $7. There will also be $5 hay bales and pie pumpkins that are are various prices. Additional information can be found on the Hartwood Estate Facebook page or by calling or texting Shannon at 256-468-5056.